Method for thermally insulating an enclosed volume using an infra-red radiation reflecting laminate

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel laminate comprising an inner support layer comprising a cross-laminated polyethylene, a middle layer which is capable of reflecting infra-red radiation comprising a metallized material selected from the group consisting of aluminized polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and metallized polyester, and a protective outer layer which protects the middle metallized layer from corrosion comprising a compound which is substantially transparent in the infra-red wavelength range selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight acrylates, low density polyethylene, polymethylene, diazo methane, and isomerized cyclo-caoutchouc. The present invention also provides a method for thermally insulating a predetermined enclosed volume defined by walls comprising the envelope of the volume comprising the step of lining at least one of the walls with the novel infra-red radiation-reflecting laminate of the present invention.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for thermally insulating a predetermined enclosed volume defined by walls comprising the envelope of said volume comprising the step of lining at least one of said walls with an infra-red radiation-reflecting laminate, wherein said laminate comprises: (a) an inner support layer comprising a cross-laminated polyethylene;   (b) a middle layer which is capable of reflecting infra-red radiation comprising a metallized material selected from the group consisting of aluminized polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and metallized polyester; and   (c) a protective outer layer which protects said middle metallized layer from corrosion, comprising: a compound which is substantially transparent in the infra-red wavelength range selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight acrylates, low density polyethylene, polymethylene diazo methane, and isomerized cyclo-caoutchouc.     
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the thickness of said inner support layer is in the range from about 3.0 mil to about 3.5 mil. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the thickness of said middle metallized layer is in the range from about 4 μm to about 30 μm. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said metallized layer is vapor-deposited onto said inner support layer. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said metallized layer is unperforated. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said metallized layer is perforated. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said metallized layer is capable of reflecting up to 96% of infra-red radiation. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said outer layer has a thickness in the range from about 2.0 μm to about 4.0 μm. 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said outer layer is substantially transparent in the wavelength range from about 4 μm to about 20 μm.